VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-26-2010, 05:09 PM
Bob Greenall greenall@ptd Bob Greenall greenall@ptd is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: lansford pa
Posts: 6
Default cowl fasteners

I would like to know if anyone has mounted rv cowls with both hinges and or skybolt fasteners?If so is which is easier and gives the best fit?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-26-2010, 05:26 PM
yakdriver yakdriver is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Posts: 683
Default

I have done both and the Skybolt fasteners are a lot easier to get a nice result. The hinge pins are a real PIA to do nicely and make them work smoothly. The cam locks only take about a minute more to remove and less time than a hinge system that binds. I do have hinges on the lower cowl sides and Skybolts on the upper cowl. Don
__________________
RV 7 N212MD Flying as of 12/22/2007
Backcountry/TCOW Super Cub flying 03/12/2011
Next project?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-26-2010, 05:33 PM
Bob Greenall greenall@ptd Bob Greenall greenall@ptd is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: lansford pa
Posts: 6
Default

Thank you for your quick response Don.I am thinking about buying skybolt fasteners,they are 10%off till the end of the year.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-26-2010, 05:49 PM
frazitl's Avatar
frazitl frazitl is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 488
Default I have skybolts around the firewall

and hinge pins on the horizontal split. I like the cleaner look of the hinge pins, but the skybolts solve many of the common problems folks have around the firewall. I'll do it the same on my next build
__________________
Terry F.
RV 7A N457RV
250 hours and lovin it!
Southern Nevada EAA Chapter 1300 - www.eaa1300.org

Paid VAF 03/17
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-27-2010, 05:36 AM
Dean Pichon Dean Pichon is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 532
Default I have both hinges and fasteners on my -4

When I built my -4, I installed the cowl with hinges per the plan. Hinges were a pain around the sharply curved firewall. When I started breaking eyelets, I replaced all hinge sections. At the firewall to upper cowl joint I switched to Skybolt fasteners and have been very happy with the results. Along the upper-to-lower cowl joint, I elected to stay with hinges. I had a number of concerns (real or otherwise) that helped make this decision. There is marginal clearance between the rocker valve covers and the cowl (O-360) and the quarter turn fasteners eat up a lot of space. Also, I was worried about bulging and puckering between fasteners.

The new hinges I installed are the extruded (rather than rolled) and slightly wider to provide more bond area so I expect a longer life for this install. These hinge sections are relatively straight, so pin installation is quite easy. I install the pins from the cockpit so there are no openings or additional fasteners on the cowl.

Good luck,

Dean Pichon
Bolton, MA
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-27-2010, 05:46 AM
DEWATSON DEWATSON is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Quincy, Florida
Posts: 680
Default

How many skybolt fasteners are required across the top rear cowling on a RV8? That's the only place I'm not happy with the hinge pins. Also, what width and thickness aluminum is required to make the scalloped mount for the female portion of the installation?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-28-2010, 12:31 PM
Bill Wightman's Avatar
Bill Wightman Bill Wightman is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 687
Default 13 on our RV8

Across the top aft cowl edge, we've used 13 Skybolt fasteners, spaced equally. They're mounted on a .063 segmented flange:



The cowl sides are done with hinge as per plans.
__________________
?The important thing in aeroplanes is that they shall be speedy.?
- Baron Manfred von Richthofen


RV8 under construction
RV4 - Sold

United B777 FO, Chicago
Aero Engineer
RV8

Last edited by Bill Wightman : 12-28-2010 at 12:34 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-28-2010, 12:54 PM
9GT's Avatar
9GT 9GT is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 1,966
Default

This may be a stupid question but what is the difference between Skybolts fasteners and Camloc's,,,,both performance and price?
__________________
David C.
Howell, MI
RV-10: #41686 Under Construction
RV-9A: #90949 Under Construction
RV-10: #40637 Completed/Sold 2016
Cozy MKIV:#656 Completed/Sold 2007
"Donor Exempt" but donated through Dec. 2020
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-28-2010, 01:28 PM
Bill Wightman's Avatar
Bill Wightman Bill Wightman is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 687
Default

Skybolt fasteners are more sophisticated than the standard run-of-the-mill quarter turn. Skybolt offers a full line of fasteners having features that are well suited to our application, such as adjustable depth baskets, floating interface, stainless construction, wide contact flanges, etc.

The fasteners you see in my picture above are the SK245-4 floating type.
__________________
?The important thing in aeroplanes is that they shall be speedy.?
- Baron Manfred von Richthofen


RV8 under construction
RV4 - Sold

United B777 FO, Chicago
Aero Engineer
RV8
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-29-2010, 08:31 AM
N208ET N208ET is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Helens OR
Posts: 429
Default For my 8A

I put Skybolts along the top cowl firewall, then used hinges everywhere else, works very well. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is also used skybolts along the bottom lip of the bottom cowl, pulling the hinge pins around the exhaust and oil breather is a pain in the neck.

Randy
8A
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:14 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.